Sister Felix puts together a newsletter each transfer that includes pictures of the new missionaries, departing missionaries, leadership of the mission, the number of missionaries, baptisms, and a letter from President Felix is included. The following is the letter he wrote for the newsletter that the missionaries will receive on Monday through email.
Dear Missionaries,
Tad R.
Callister said “What is a consecrated missionary? It is a missionary who is willing to give
every ounce of energy, every conscious thought, and every drop of passion to
this work – to submit our will to God’s will whatever it may be. The book of Omni records the depth and
breadth of that covenant: ‘Yea, come unto me, and offer your whole souls as an
offering unto him.’” Being consecrated
servants of Jesus Christ in the California Ventura Mission suggest that you are
putting aside all worldly thoughts and desires and that you “put both feet
in.”
From a recent conference talk, Elder Larry
Lawrence stated: “The journey of discipleship is not an easy one. It has been called a ‘course of steady
improvement.’ As we travel along that
strait and narrow path, the Spirit continually challenges us to be better and
to climb higher. The Holy Ghost will not
tell you to improve everything at once.
If He did, we would become discouraged and give up. The Spirit works with us at our own speed,
one step at a time, or as the Lord has taught, ‘line upon line, precept upon
precept…’ Ask the Lord, ‘What is keeping
me from progressing?’ or ‘What lack I yet?’ Be persistent, but never be discouraged. ‘It is our duty to be better today than we
were yesterday, and better tomorrow than we are today.’”
Elder Neal A Maxwell said “In pondering and
pursuing consecration, understandably we tremble inwardly at what may be
required. Yet the Lord has said
consolingly, ‘My grace is sufficient for you’.
Do we really believe Him? He has
also promised to make weak things strong.
Are we really willing to submit to that process? Yet if we desire fullness, we cannot hold
back part!”
Our gift to the Savior is to give Him our all
as we serve Heavenly Father’s children.
As we exercise pure faith, His grace will attend us and the California
Ventura Mission will catch on fire. Let’s
all consecrate our efforts, pray and work diligently for the salvation of the
souls of those 41 individuals who have accepted or will accept baptismal dates during
the month of December. Our fast as a
mission on December 1 will bring to pass this worthy goal. Remember not to invite others at home to join
in our special fast (Missionary Handbook page18).
Love and joy,
President Dell C. Felix
